Naturena, Johannesburg, August 4, 2003 - Newly crowned Telkom Charity Cup champions Kaizer Chiefs have released a statement to put into proper perspective the issues raised in the weekend newspaper article.

Club spokesperson Putco Mafani says if there is anybody owed an apology for the inconveniences and embarrassment suffered in Cape Town, such would be Kaizer Chiefs.

"We only received the faxed invitation to this function as we were leaving Johannesburg for Cape Town, with our flight confirmed and all other logistics put in place, it was never even in our plans that we would be attending such a function. But nevertheless we did attend as soon as we had settled from the airport.

"We had sent all our plans and programme to the Bid offices while we were still in Korea and got a confirmation of our itinerary there and nothing was mentioned about the function. We would have made all preparations for this function including changing the flights and all relevant logistics," said Mafani.

"Obviously, we were quite annoyed with the fact that the organizers only spoke to us telephonically about the function without even sending a police escort with the directions or a map to the British High Commissioner's offices. It was very embarrassing and anybody in their senses could have detected that something was absolutely wrong with communication", explained Mafani.

He went on to point out that somebody somewhere "did not do their job because even the issue of training was in our correspondence with the organizers and we got responses that our training programme was confirmed, including the training session at the Newlands Rugby stadium.

"It is common sense that in games like these both participating clubs are entitled to the match venue 24 hours before the game and that we indicated in our schedule.

I must conclude by saying that Kaizer Chiefs is a professional club and there is no way we would disregard official appointments for no apparent reason, instead we are proud of the PR work we have done for our country's bid for 2010 World Cup. Our commitment is unwavering, our passion will not be swayed.

"For the article to indicate that according to Newlands Stadium management it was only Spurs whose training session on the day was arranged and confirmed, demonstrates once again huge disrespect for SA football," said Mafani.

Meanwhile, Amakhosi are back to training preparing for what they call their toughest game ever, the SAA Supa 8, against Wits at the Harry Openheimer Stadium, Orkney, on Sunday, August 10, 2003 at 15H00.

Tickets the will go on sale from as early as Tuesday, August 5, at Computicket branches around the country.

The price will be R20 for adult, while tickets for juveniles, which will cost R10, will be available at the stadium on Sunday, where the gates will open at 10H00.